GOVERNMENT RELATIONS101 Vanderbilt maintains a strong presence in all levels of government. The Office of Federal Relations carries out our work in Washington; on campus, Vanderbilt’s interaction with state and local government is overseen by the Office of Community, Neighborhood, and Government Relations. Both offices report to the Division of Public Affairs.

As one of the nation’s top research universities, Vanderbilt University is significantly involved in federal, state, and local policy making. Vanderbilt received nearly $500 million in federal grant money last year alone. As an expert resource of cutting-edge research and analysis, Vanderbilt has faculty and staff who serve Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville on federal advisory boards and commissions. The Role of the Office of Federal Relations The university serves citizens in all ninety- Among the many areas on which the Office of Much of our effort, therefore, involves direct five counties. Vanderbilt’s voice is vital to Federal Relations focuses are funding for research contact with Congress and the Executive Branch in science, engineering, education and the humani- on legislative and regulatory matters. We make the consideration of national, state, and local ties; higher education policy; federal student aid; officials aware of Vanderbilt’s expertise in key policy issues. tax policy; health care; graduate medical education; areas of concern and, when appropriate, advo- immigration; international student and scholar cate positions that promote the interests of access; and intellectual property rights. Vanderbilt within the broader higher education community. We work in tandem with other The Role of the Office of Community, broad range of state and local issues and regula- research universities and play a leadership role Neighborhood, and Government Relations tions. Issues that come before the state legislature in numerous national associations and coalitions and regulatory bodies are of critical importance to The Office of Community, Neighborhood, and that address these issues. Vanderbilt. The Office of Community, Neighbor- Government Relations sustains Vanderbilt’s Vanderbilt also takes on an even broader hood and Government Relations is tasked with relationships with the people in our local and state role in Washington, the home of policymakers assigning expert witness testimony on legislation communities. We work with students, faculty, staff, and opinion leaders. Our office works with a pending before the Tennessee General Assembly; and members of the administration throughout wide range of non-governmental organizations, advising the state’s executive, constitutional offi- the university to promote policy initiatives and major think tanks, the National Academies, and cers, and departments of the potential effect of to leverage Vanderbilt’s resources in a beneficial numerous scientific societies. Our well-integrated proposed rules, laws, policies and regulations; and way. As a public access point for the community, presence in Washington gives us a “seat at the sharing the interests of state leaders with the lead- we are both assertive and responsive in supporting table” when many important policy issues are ers of the university. Vanderbilt’s mission of teaching, research, public being deliberated. At the local level, the government relations staff service, and health care. The Office of Federal Relations facilitates works closely with officials elected and appointed The government relations staff facilitates inter- and directly supports the university’s academic to the local government to negotiate issues such as action with government officials and oversees a mission by furnishing Vanderbilt’s faculty and growth, zoning, utilities, services, and quality of students with excellent opportunities to engage life, that affect not only Vanderbilt, but also our in the national policymaking process. We offer neighbors and community. office space and conference room facilities to faculty members who find themselves in Advocacy and Lobbying: The Role of Lobbying Washington to provide congressional testimony, in American Government to meet with members of Congress and their American democracy is a grand experiment. staffs, to visit executive branch agencies and America is built on the foundational idea that the federal agencies, and to attend sessions of various people are supreme: that they are the organic and national associations and societies that represent sustainable source of democratic principles, values, higher education and various research disciplines. ideals, beliefs, and institutions. The Constitution Our office collaborates with the Vanderbilt includes institutional limits and checks and bal- Internship Experience in Washington during ances to ensure that life, liberty, and the pursuit of the summer and hosts a summer intern in the happiness are cherished, protected, and advanced. office each year. The office also hosts a class for Democracy does not mean that the majority is Representative Brenda Gilmore, Linda Norman, and students majoring in Human and Organiza- always right, but the will of the majority is ignored tional Development. Marilyn Dubree at Vanderbilt Day on the Hill. at one’s peril. Lobbying is how individuals and and internal government relations officials. Be in Be truthful. As in any profession, your word is groups promote, protect, and advance the interests touch with the Office of Federal Relations or the your bond. If you don’t know the answer to a ques- of the American people. Office of Community, Neighborhood, and Gov- tion, be ready to report that you will get the answer Lobbying is, above all, the advocacy of a point ernment Relations, so that they know you have and offer it to the record as soon as possible follow- of view. Although the action of lobbying was origi- been invited to testify and can assist you in prepar- ing the hearing. You should consider that any time nally defined in relation to the British House of ing for the hearing. In some cases, they may have you are asked a question by a legislator, you are Commons, coinage of the word “lobbyist” is attrib- information you need to know before you testify. under oath. uted to President Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877). When you testify, be very clear about whom Be aware of what you, your predecessor, or Lobbying is so inextricable from the operation you represent. When representing an institution your superior has said on the topic in the past. of our government that it is commonly referred to or professional organization other than Vanderbilt, The committee will know this—and will be look- as “The Third House.” Lobbying requires organi- be clear: “Madame Chair, members of the com- ing for any contradictions. zation, information, preparation, and communica- mittee, I work at Vanderbilt University as a Be logical, clear, and to the point. If the hear- tion. Lobbyists research and analyze proposed laws, ______, but today I am testifying on behalf of ing is open, remember that your comments will rules, policies, or regulations; monitor develop- The American Society of ______.” likely be excerpted by the press and are part of the ments; attend hearings; furnish periodic updates; Know the prior testimony on the subject. public record. educate policymakers, staff, and colleagues; and Be truthful, friendly, logical, clear, work with other interested parties. Effective lob- and concise when you answer the byists build healthy relationships, respect different committee’s questions. If asked for perspectives, and manage the exposure and expec- your position on an issue, defer to the tations of delicate, complex political processes. committee: “Mr. Chairman, mem- bers of the committee, I appreciate your interest in my opinion, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS but you shape policy, and I am here PROTOCOL to inform the discussion. I defer to the opinion and will of the commit- Testifying before public officials tee.” Consult counsel to determine Testifying before public officials is critical to shap- a potential conflict of interest. If ing public policy. you have a conflict of interest, or any- At some point, you may be called upon to fur- thing that might be perceived nish expert testimony at the local, state, or federal as a conflict of interest, inform the Christina West, Zack Marshall, and Congressman Jim Cooper at a level. If so, you must first inform your superiors committee prior to testifying. Vanderbilt congressional reception. Do not use jargon or acronyms, wiring diagrams, or jokes. The point is to be clear and forthright. These elements tend to distract, or worse, annoy. Be aware of administrative concerns. Your testi- mony will have a time limit, and your comments for the record will have to align with a requested for- mat. The Office of Federal Relations and the Office of Community, Neighborhood, and Government Relations can assist you with these observances. Be aware that hard copies of your testimony will be distributed to the press and posted on the commit- tee’s website. Arrive a half hour before the hearing to acquaint yourself with the atmosphere. Familiarize yourself with the House and Senate floor schedules for the day, so you are prepared for possible inter- ruptions due to voting. Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey speaks as Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, and C. Wright Pinson, MBA, M.D., deputy vice chancellor for health affairs Communicating with public officials and CEO of the Vanderbilt Health System, listen at the state capitol. Face-to-face meetings Always address elected and government officials in way to address officials is as Mayor ______, Written correspondence a respectful way fitting the office he or she holds. and Councilmember ______. If a member of The appropriate way to address a letter or an email In a meeting, use their titles such as “Senator Congress or the Tennessee General Assembly holds to an elected or government official is as follows ______, it is a pleasure to meet you.” For a leadership role, you would refer to him or her as (real addresses are available on the lists in the back members of the U.S. House of Representatives, use Speaker or Leader ______; and if she or he of this pamphlet): Congressman or Congresswoman ______. is a chair of a committee or subcommittee then The Honorable D.C. Ectoplasm, Chairwoman For members of the President’s cabinet, it would you would refer to her or him as Madame Chair or Northwest Statehood Committee be Secretary ______. On the state level, Chairman ______. The State Senate use Governor ______, Senator ______, Do your research prior to your testimony, so you 12345 New Street Representative ______, and Commissioner will know the appropriate titles for those you will Ecopsychopolydynamic, XT 54321 ______. At the local level the appropriate be addressing. Continued heightened security at the U.S. Invitations to elected officials • Do not wait for a legislative session to Capitol screens all incoming U.S. postal mail to Please notify the appropriate Vanderbilt govern- cultivate your relationships or begin congressional offices. We recommend that you ment relations official prior to issuing an invitation your education on important issues. communicate with congressional offices by fax or to ensure compliance with appropriate ethics rules, Lobbying is a year-round activity. email to ensure timely arrival. and copy the appropriate government relations • Keep communication precise. Correspondence to state and local officials may official on all invitations. The government rela- • Ask for what you want. be sent via U.S. Postal Service or by fax or email. tions staff is available to assist you with creating the • Know the context in which you are working. In order to better assist members of the Vander- invitation and can offer guidance on to whom the bilt community, we ask when you invite members invitation should be addressed. All invitations to • Understand the policy process (executive or of Congress or members of the state legislature to elected or government officials should be in written legislative). Know your policymakers. events on campus or submit requests for DC-based form. If you want an official or staff member to • Enlist the support of your base of meetings that you copy the appropriate Vanderbilt speak at or attend an event, the written correspon- stakeholders. government relations staff on all correspondence to dence will need to be followed up with a personal federal, state, and local officials. phone call to a staff member (legislative assistant or What to expect in a typical lobbying meeting scheduler). Preparation, consideration, and clarity are required If you invite a public official to speak at a meet- for a successful lobbying experience at whatever ing or class, please remember to be respectful of his level of government you are working. Find a model or her time by starting and finishing on time. “normal” sequence of events at the congressional level at vanderbilt.edu/cngr/government-relations.php. Visiting policymakers A similar, but not identical, approach applies at the How does one lobby? state legislature and Metro Council level. Whether you are attempting influence at the Ethics and Vanderbilt policies local, state, or federal level, any effort to affect policy, legislation, or regulation must be focused All levels of government—federal, state, and and should incorporate the following guidelines: local—have ethics laws regulating not only their interactions with lobbyists, but also the appropri- • Identify your goal. ate receipt of gifts, trips, meals, etc. The laws vary • Notify the appropriate Vanderbilt for each level of government. Further complicating Vanderbilt faculty and staff meet with Tennessee leg- government relations official. matters is the fact that the federal level has dif- islators during Day on the Hill at Legislative Plaza. • Plan. Make the request early. ferent ethics policies for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Metro Council’s • Click on “Find Legislation.” To find videos that have been archived: ethics policy subjects Vanderbilt to a greater level • Enter bill number in box labeled Go to Senate or House and click “Archive.” of restrictions than other organizations or institu- “Type Bill Number to Look Up,” tions because we have had and will have legislation e.g., SB0220. To research legislation before the Metro Council: before the council. However, all bodies are consis- • Click “Search.” Go to nashville.gov/Metro-Council/Agenda tent in their enforcement of ethics policies. Go to nashville.gov/Metro-Council/Agenda-Analysis Vanderbilt takes additional steps to ensure To research how a bill would affect current that anyone who occasionally interacts with a Tennessee law: government official does not intentionally or un- Go to Tennessee General Assembly web site: intentionally violate an ethics law. To assist in this capitol.tn.gov effort, the best policy is to speak to the appropri- • Click on the link “Tennessee Code.” ate Vanderbilt government relations professional (LexisNexis Law Publishing site). or a member of Vanderbilt’s Office of the General • Click on “Tennessee Code.” Counsel before contacting a government official. • Enter the number of the section of code, In general, gifts for members of Congress are not which is referenced within the bill, e.g., permitted. 71-5-1401. • Click “Enter.”

TRACKING LEGISLATION To learn more about how a bill becomes a To research legislation pending in the state law in Tennessee: United States Congress: Go to capitol.tn.gov/about/billtolaw.html Go to the legislative information from the To view Tennessee General Assembly hearings Library of Congress website: congress.gov on the web: • Click on links to search for pending Go to Tennessee General Assembly website: legislation, current public law, or other capitol.tn.gov options listed at this site. • Click on “Live Video.” To research bills pending before the • Click on “Schedules.” Tennessee General Assembly: • Click on the camera icon next to the event you wish to view. Go to Tennessee General Assembly website: Mayor Karl Dean capitol.tn.gov FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FEDERAL Executive Branch Representative Phil Roe (Tenn. - 1st District) Tel: (202) 225-6356 Fax: (202) 225-5714 The White House: whitehouse.gov roe.house.gov Department of Defense: defense.gov Chief of Staff: Matt Meyer Department of Education: ed.gov Legislative Director: John Martin Department of Energy: doe.gov Representative John Duncan (Tenn. - 2nd) Department of Homeland Security: dhs.gov Tel: (202) 225-5435 Fax: (202) 225-6440 Institute of Museum and Library Services: imls.gov duncan.house.gov National Aeronautics and Space Administration: nasa.gov Chief of Staff: Bob Griffitts National Endowment for the Arts: nea.gov Legislative Director: David Black National Endowment for the Humanities: neh.gov National Institutes of Health: nih.gov Representative Chuck Fleischmann (Tenn. - 3rd) Tel: (202) 225-3271 Fax: (202) 225-3494 National Science Foundation: nsf.gov fleischmann.house.gov Office of Science and Technology Policy: ostp.gov Chief of Staff: Jim Hippe Legislative Director: Alek Vey Legislative Branch LINKS Representative Scott DesJarlais (Tenn. - 4th) Congressional Budget Office: cbo.gov Tel: (202) 225-6831 Fax: (202) 226-5172 House of Representatives: house.gov desjarlais.house.gov Senate: senate.gov Chief of Staff: Richard Vaughn Thomas (Website of the Library of Congress): congress.gov Legislative Director: Dayne Cutrell [This website provides the public access to searches for legislation pending before Congress as well as legislation Representative Jim Cooper (Tenn. - 5th) introduced in past Congresses.] Tel: (202) 225-4311 Fax: (202) 226-1035 cooper.house.gov Chief of Staff: Lisa Quigley Tennessee’s Delegation in the 111th Deputy Chief of Staff: Jason Lumia United States Congress Representative Diane Black (Tenn. - 6th) Senator Lamar Alexander Tel: (202) 225-4231 Fax: (202) 225-6887 Tel: (202) 224-4944 Fax: (202) 228-3398 black.house.gov alexander.senate.gov Chief of Staff: Teresa Koeberlein Chief of Staff: Ryan Loskarn Legislative Director: Robert Cogan Legislative Director: David Cleary Representative Marsha Blackburn (Tenn. - 7th) Senator Bob Corker Tel: (202) 225-2811 Fax: (202) 225-3004 Tel: (202) 224-3344 Fax: (202) 228-0566 blackburn.house.gov corker.senate.gov Chief of Staff: Mike Platt Chief of Staff: Todd Womack Deputy Chief of Staff: Mike Reynard Legislative Director: Rob Strayer Legislative Director: Keith Studdard Representative Stephen Fincher (Tenn. - 8th) Representative Higher Education and Tel: (202) 225-4714 Fax: (202) 225-1765 Research Community in Washington fincher.house.gov Chief of Staff: Jessica Carter American Association for the Advancement of Science: Legislative Director: Jim Hall aaas.org American Council on Education: acenet.edu Representative Steve Cohen (Tenn. - 9th) American Institute of Physics: aip.org Tel: (202) 225-3265 Fax: (202) 225-5663 cohen.house.gov American Libraries Association: ala.org Chief of Staff: Marilyn Dillihay Association of American Medical Colleges: aamc.org Legislative Director: David Greengrass Association of American Universities: aau.edu Association of Research Libraries: arl.org Select U.S. Congressional Committees Coalition for National Science Funding: cnsfweb.org Council for Higher Education Accreditation: chea.org House Appropriations Committee: Council of Graduate Schools: cgsnet.org appropriations.house.gov Council on Governmental Relations: cogr.edu Senate Appropriations Committee: National Academy of Sciences: nationalacademies.org appropriations.senate.gov National Association of College and University House Education and Workforce Committee: Business Officers:nacubo.org edworkforce.house.gov National Association of Independent Colleges and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Universities: naicu.edu Pensions Committee: help.senate.gov National Association of International Educators: nafsa.org House Energy and Commerce Committee: energycommerce.house.gov National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: nasfaa.org Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Task Force on American Innovation: innovationtaskforce.org Committee: commerce.senate.gov United for Medical Research: unitedformedicalresearch.com House Ways and Means Committee: waysandmeans.house.gov Senate Finance Committee: finance.senate.gov House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: house.gov/science

LINKS GOVERNMENT STATE LOCAL AND Tennessee General Assembly Metropolitan Government of Davidson County Delegation Nashville and Davidson County The Honorable Steven Dickerson Karl Dean, Mayor [email protected] Metropolitan Government of Nashville and The Honorable Ferrell Haile Davidson County [email protected] 100 Metro Courthouse The Honorable Thelma Harper Nashville, TN 37201 [email protected] Tel: (615) 862-6000 The Honorable Douglas Henry Fax: (615) 862-6040 [email protected] [email protected] The Honorable Beth Harwell [email protected] Wendy Tucker, Senior Advisor in Education The Honorable Brenda Gilmore Mayor’s Office of Children and Youth [email protected] Metropolitan Courthouse The Honorable Darren Jernigan Nashville, TN 37201 [email protected] Tel: (615) 862-6013 The Honorable Sherry Jones Fax: (615) 880-1813 [email protected] [email protected] The Honorable Harold M. Love, Jr. Greg Hinote, Deputy Mayor [email protected] Metropolitan Courthouse The Honorable Bo Mitchell Nashville, Tennessee 37201 [email protected] Tel: (615) 862-6000 The Honorable Gary Odom [email protected] [email protected] The Honorable Jason Powell Charles L. Shannon [email protected] Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management The Honorable Mike Stewart 2060 15th Avenue, South [email protected] Nashville, TN 37212 The Honorable Mike Turner Tel: (615) 862-8530 [email protected] Fax: (615) 862-8534 [email protected]

Courtney Wheeler Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods Metropolitan Courthouse Nashville, TN 37201 Tel: (615) 862-6000 Fax: (615) 862-6001 LINKS [email protected] VANDERBILT RESOURCES Metropolitan Council of Alex Currie Nashville and Davidson County Associate Director of Federal Relations [email protected] Diane Neighbors, Vice Mayor (202) 216-4366 Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County Margie Glick One Public Square, Suite 204 Assistant Director of Federal Relations P. O. Box 196300 [email protected] Nashville, TN 37219 (202) 216-4369 Tel: 880-3357 (business) Janelle St. Croix Tel: 226-6073 (residence) Legislative Analyst [email protected] [email protected] The roster of the Metropolitan Council of (202) 216-4361 Nashville and Davidson County: Office of Community, Neighborhood & nashville.gov/metro-council/metro-council-members Government Relations In Davidson County (to find out which district 2007 Terrace Place you reside in and where you vote): Nashville, TN 37203 nashville.gov/election-commission PMB # 357760 To find out who represents you on the federal, Christine Bradley state, and local levels Assistant Vice Chancellor For federal and state officials: [email protected] www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml (615) 343-0556 or capwiz.com/ticua Mary Pat Teague Associate Director, Community, Neighborhood & Vanderbilt’s Government Relations Government Relations Staff Members and Contact Information [email protected] Office of Federal Relations (615) 322-8337 750 First Street, NE Margie Naylor Suite 1110 Community and Government Liaison Washington, DC 20002 [email protected] (202) 216-4361 (615) 343-6461 vanderbilt.edu/publicaffairs/federalrelations Lynn McDonald Christina D. West Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations County Liaison [email protected] [email protected] (202) 216-4370 (615) 322-6384 “Vanderbilt” and the Vanderbilt logo are registered trademarks and service marks of Vanderbilt University. Produced by Vanderbilt University Creative Services and Vanderbilt Printing Services, 2013. Printed on paper with 10 percent post-consumer recycled content with ink made from renewable resources, as part of the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and natural resource protection. This publication is recyclable. Please recycle it.